Important information for Shabbat
1. Present confirmation email to security at entrance to parking lot.
2. Enter the building using the rear parking lot entrance (no entry from Old Mill Road).
3. Wear a mask at all times while on GNS property covering both your mouth and nose, and sanitize your hands upon entering the building
4. Pay attention to the physical barriers directing traffic flow and enter the Synagogue through the corridor in the ballroom
5. Sit only in the seats marked with a blue card. Please do not move cards or caution tape. If adjacent seats are both marked with cards then family members can sit next to each other. Maintain social distance when moving to your seat.
6. Our goal is for an efficient, quick and meaningful davenning. All of the aliyot will be given to the Ba’al Korei.
7. Minimize movement around the sanctuary. One bathroom will be available to be used by one person at a time. If waiting for the bathroom maintain social distancing. Sanitize any commonly touched services before leaving the bathroom.
8. At the conclusion of davenning please follow directions to leave the building on the Old Mill Road side, using all available exits. Refrain from socializing and maintain social distancing when exiting the building.
Dear Members,
With the insight and guidance of local physicians, county health officials, and local and national public health experts, we have crafted these policies and procedures to begin the reopening of our GNS facility. The goal is to create as safe an environment as soon as reasonably practicable for davenning. These procedures are guided by Halacha, public health, and logistical considerations. We implore you to please strictly follow the guidelines below. It is vital that we get this right and we can only do so with everybody’s cooperation.
We recognize that by observing these guidelines, davening opportunities will be limited. Some will be unable to participate at this stage, whether for health reasons, eligibility, or the limited capacity in which we are opening. With time and experience, we will build on and improve these guidelines and hopefully be able to relax some of them. At this point, however, we need to start slowly, taking appropriate cautions at each and every step. We therefore ask that if you are unable to participate, for whatever reason, to please be understanding. These are uncertain times and while we would love to accommodate everybody—and while we hope to be able to do so soon, there are too many factors that are currently limiting our ability to do so.
From a Halachic standpoint, anyone who is unable to attend is exempt from davening with a minyan. Similarly, anyone who is concerned about the effect of attending minyan on their health is exempt. As everyone who has followed the news of this pandemic is aware, there are many risks associated with COVID-19, some of which are uncertain. In light of this, although we are acting conservatively and taking what we have been advised are reasonable precautions, participation in any kind of group activity is necessarily of higher risk than staying at home. For example, we are not performing testing or other health checks on each participant. Each person should therefore understand that they are assuming the risks of participation, without any kind of assurance from Great Neck Synagogue, and make their own judgment about whether they wish to participate, including in light of their personal health circumstances and other risk factors.
Under no circumstances should anyone attend if they or a member of their household has a temperature, cough, shortness of breath or any other symptom of COVID-19 (regardless of whether the person has been diagnosed with COVID-19). Similarly, if you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or are recovering from COVID-19, you should not attend unless your physician has expressly advised that you may safely do so.
Registration:
To ensure appropriate contact tracing and to screen all participants, everybody who wishes to attend will have to register for a minyan. You will need to provide your name, phone number, and email address. This will allow us to contact you with any necessary changes or follow up. After successfully registering you will receive a confirmation email. Please show this email to security at the entrance to the parking lot.
General Procedures:
Everyone must be wearing a mask at all times when on GNS grounds. Pre-registration is required to attend services. Individuals who fail to produce a confirmation email and whose names do not appear on the list with security will not be allowed to enter the building.
Once davenning is complete, please leave the davening area as quickly as possible and continue to maintain 6 feet of distance between people. While we are all excited to see each other in person, it is critical to avoid any in-person socializing at this point. Exit the building quickly and safely.
As we all know, information about the virus is changing at a rapid rate and certain plans may change, even day to day. The one thing that will not change is our dedication to providing a safe spiritual center for our congregation.
